Campaign notebook

Montgomery County State's Attorney Douglas F. Gansler, who is running for state attorney general, has been endorsed by 11 of his Democratic counterparts across the state, according to his campaign.

All but three Democratic state's attorneys in the state have endorsed him.

Gansler faces three opponents in the Democratic primary. Former Baltimore State's Attorney Stuart O. Simms announced his candidacy last week. Also running are Montgomery County Councilman Thomas E. Perez and J. Wyndal Gordon, who practices law in Baltimore.

In a news release, Gansler said he was "extremely proud to have the strong backing of so many of Maryland's state's attorneys."

Frederick County State's Attorney Scott L. Rolle is running for the Republican nomination.

Sumathi Reddy

Senate race

U.S. Chamber of Commerce gives support to Steele

Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele, a Republican running for U.S. Senate, was endorsed yesterday by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

In a statement, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas J. Donohue said Steele's election "will help produce sustained economic growth and promote America's competitiveness in world markets."

Donohue said that 90 percent of candidates endorsed by the chamber in 2004 won their races.

Steele faces token opposition in the Republican primary and is vying to fill a seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes, who is retiring.

Staff reports

Governor's race

57 Democratic Montgomery Co. officials unite behind O'Malley

Two weeks after Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan dropped out of the Democratic gubernatorial primary, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley -- his former political rival -- picked up endorsements from a broad range of elected officials in the suburban Washington county.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen, state Sen. Brian E. Frosh, Montgomery County State's Attorney Douglas F. Gansler, Del. Peter Franchot and 53 others -- many of whom had stayed neutral in the primary battle -- officially endorsed O'Malley at an event in Rockville characterized as a coming together of the county's Democratic Party.

"We have work to do in the days ahead, to bring people together, to heal our party," said O'Malley, who spent much of his childhood in Rockville. "I thank [Duncan] for his dignity and his class and also for his endorsement."

Duncan, who has served as executive of the Democratic stronghold since 1994, left the race June 22 after disclosing he had been diagnosed with clinical depression.